We go to the Galway Theatre on Main St. in Clive Donner's "Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queen" (American Cinema Releasing, 1981). It's set in San Francisco and for their Chinatown they used some backlot stuff -- and a bit of Main St. Paul Lohmann was the cinematographer.
Peter Ustinov plays Charlie, in town
because his bumbling grandson Richard Hatch is getting married to Michelle Pfeiffer.
Here on this trip to Chinatown Brian Keith as the San Francisco police chief is also
along. There have been a string of very strange murders that Charlie may help solve. Also in the cast are Lee Grant as the kid's maternal grandmother, Roddy McDowall as Lee's wheelchair-bound butler, Rachel Roberts as a demented maid, Paul Ryan as the police chief's assistant, and Angie Dickinson as the queen of the title.
Meeting up with some of Charlie's acquaintances in front of the Galway. It was at 514 S. Main, occupying a storefront in the Leonide Hotel building, a structure that dates from 1905.
One of the locals saying hi to Charlie.
A later view of the Galway signage when Richard and Michelle drive by in a cab.
A view from the cab. Maybe it's a white suit contest.
See the page about the Galway Theatre on the Los Angeles Theatres site for a history of the venue and more photos. The building survives but the Galway space has been remodeled.
They're headed to the Eltinge Theatre, a backlot creation. The theatre was running old Charle Chan films.
Climbing a fire escape on an unknown building with the goal to get into a scene dock on top of the stage. Michelle was in her wedding dress. They were getting married later in the day but Richard got an urgent communication about the necessity of getting to the Eltinge.
Michelle wants to keep going up to the roof but Richard suggests trying a door.
Inside the "Eltinge" they find themselves in a dark fan room. It's an unidentified location but could have been shot in the basement at the Variety Arts Theatre.
Once in the scene dock they get chloroformed and tied up by the Dragon Queen. Shot on a soundstage.
Another shot of the theatre facade as Peter and others come to the rescue.
Peter, as Charlie Chan, enters the scene dock set.
Roddy McDowall arrives after motoring there in his wheelchair. Discouraged by the fire escape, he buys a ticket and enters through the front door.
Peter Ustinov, Richard Hatch, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rachel Roberts, Paul Ryan and Lee Grant have a conversation about the mysterious killings.
Lee runs away from the group and slides down a ramp to the stage. Is she the murderer? Peter follows.
Roddy arrives. How he got up to the scene dock isn't explained. But now it's time to roll down the ramp.
In the auditorium with a Charlie Chan movie on the screen. Now we're back at a real location: The Variety Arts Theatre, 940 S. Figueroa St.
Looking to stage left. Lee Grant runs across the stage.
A view from the stage right flyfloor.
On the ropes.
Downstage right.
She's in front of the screen as the Charlie Chan in the movie points a finger and says "You're the murderer!"
The audience applauds. Lee runs up the aisle.
Running across the Variety Arts lobby.
See the pages about the Variety Arts on the Los Angeles Theatres site for photos and historical information about the building.
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